Federal judge rules against Naples man who won White Marlin Open tournament

Phillip Heasley, the Naples man who was crowned the 2016 winner of the White Marlin Open tournament, has been disqualified from the competition and will not receive the $2.8 million award after a federal judge ruled against him on Wednesday.

The ruling comes more than 10 months after Heasley and his shipmates were accused of cheating by tournament officials after catching a 76.5-pound white marlin on August 9 on board the Kallianassa. Officials believed Heasley and his shipmates violated tournament rules by catching the fish prior to 8:30 a.m. — the official start time to catch a marlin.

The winning catch at the White Marlin Open at 76 pounds, caught by Phillip Heasley from Naples, ...more

The winning catch at the White Marlin Open at 76 pounds, caught by Phillip Heasley from Naples, Fla., is now the subject of a court case.

Following his victory, Heasley was required to take a polygraph test rather than turning over his computer and GPS records. Heasley failed the test resulting in the withholding of his earnings, officials said.

The White Marlin Open released a statement on its Facebook page stating "After a two-week trial in United States District Court for the District of Maryland, the Honorable Richard D. Bennett has ruled that the White Marlin Open properly applied the rules of the tournament to the 2016 White Marlin Open."

The court also ruled the White Marlin Open Incorporation followed all standard rules and did not breach the contract set between the organization and participants, according to court records.

Prosecutors also disputed whether the Kallianassa had left the Ocean City Marina prior to the 4:30 a.m. start time.

A federal trial was held in Baltimore where a judge heard from Heasley, crew members, tournament officials and computer forensic experts. The trial was moved from Worcester County to Baltimore in September.